Hemp is a genetically diverse species, with varieties adapted to a wide range of latitudes and climatic zones. It is a summer annual, short-day flowering plant. The fiber product of the hemp plant comes from the stalk, which is comprised of bast (the outer bark fraction of the stem) and the hurd (which is the inner woody core).Hemp as a fiber crop grows over the peak of summer, typically a 100-120 day crop harvested in September and October.It is a low cost crop, with minimal infield operations post planting. Hemp requires good cropping conditions for optimum performance, although the plant itself is very tough and will withstand periods of drought, heat, frost and low fertility. For viable cropping systems, the crop prefers high fertility soils, (especially adequate Nitrogen), no waterlogging conditions (including flood irrigation under most circumstances), good drainage, near neutral pH (6-7) and reasonable soil organic matter. Conditions of salinity, acidity, low fertility, surface crusting, waterlogging, anaerobic root zones, compaction and poor soil structure will limit hemp yields.